Expensive Fracking Solutions and Water Drinkers Pay the Price.
A city in New York is trying to raise enough money to tackle their fracking problem. Fracking has been a highly popular debate in the environmental arena and is affecting the safety of not only our tap water, but the water supply used in industries as well. Fracking is a shortened term for fracturing underground shale to release gases. These gases, which include carcinogens, are unpredictable and seep into the water supply. The contamination quickly spreads in the water and we end up with millions of gallons of wastewater. Scientists know how much damage fracking can cause, but it’s hard to predict whether they’d be doing more harm than good in the long run with which plan they choose to implement. The Department of Environmental Conservation has recently issued a 1,500 page review that offers suggestions on what to do with the wastewater, but the solutions are time consuming and costly because of the sophisticated equipment. Now, call me crazy, but I think I’d rather dish out a few millions to fix the problem than pay for medical bills when I start growing a third arm. Think of how many new t-shirts I’d have to buy. [Huffington Post]
Image courtesy of Thinkprocess.org
First Generation of Voters in Libya.
The city of Misrata in Libya, known for its battle against Muammar Gaddafi, voted for the first time yesterday. The polls were held in school buildings and were surrounded by security personnel carrying weapons. The elected officials will be faced with the task of rebuilding the torn city and restructuring the peoples’ roles in how they want their city to be run. The election process gives the citizens the opportunity to be heard, but who knows what will actually come of the election. The councils have big plans for the city such as writing a new constitution and more will be decided as June approaches when the national elections take place. It is reported that a number of political parties are taking interest in the elections and are attempting to gain followers, although they may not be using such democratic methods as simply jamming a sign into someone’s front lawn. [Reuters]
Image courtesy of Mideast.Foreignpolicy
A Plant That Used to be Extinct Makes a Comeback.
The narrow-leafed campion flower is making waves as the oldest plant ever. Let me run that beat back for you. Scientists are super excited that a plant once thought extinct for 32,000 years is alive today, all thanks to a squirrel who hid the fruit of the flower underground. The flower survived by being frozen in Russia. It may not be as awesome as a frozen, unhatched dinosaur egg of a new species that, oh, I don’t know, played air guitar, but it is kind of a big deal in science, some calling it “an amazing breakthough.” Prior to its discovery, seed viability was thought to decrease over the years, scientists stating that at just 160 years, only a 2 percent chance exists the seed will take. It begs the question of what else scientists assume to be extinct. Thank you, ancient squirrel, for you’ve done a great deed, now let’s find that dinosaur egg! [New York Times]
Image courtesy of NewYorkTimes
